I had selected my pin for the pinterest challenge &
started early this month ! But like the proverbial hare, I happily took a short
break. Then came 2 unexpected but very exciting & absorbing projects, and
this hare couldn’t get back on the original track. Needed to find a “shortcut”
! Thus under-PINning undermining my resolve to not include tatting, this
month’s post is all about that : my very First tatted edging , with
pattern & possible variations ….
My brief was to tat “a simple edging in size 20” for a
handkerchief set that my MIL wanted to gift her friend. My MIL was tatting one
edging herself (she learned to tat at the age of 50 & had made lots of
simple edgings during that phase). But simple ring & chain was boring &
I took the opportunity to design my own edging !!!
click on any pic for larger image ....
that can be doubled back in various ways for other
applications.
The track wasn’t straight – many stops & starts because
this tatter was really harebrained and dithered on timely decisions ...
The Design Journey
TRACK I : Made a few sketches, & chose to tat this pattern, using
threads left on the shuttles.
TRACK II : Chose the final colours & added a double picot to raise
the flat line between 2 trefoils.
But colours seemed too dark for the hanky & picots
would be difficult to control when the hanky was washed; they would require blocking each time. Not practical.
TRACK III : Hmm, a Josephine ring cluster could raise the height and complement
the trefoil – like little buds perhaps ? Here, the trefoil rings are not joined
together.
Started JR cluster with a loop tatted JR over the left JR
(LTROR method) – looked good. Then switched to SCMR method only because it so much quicker to
tat.
But, the top JR in the cluster kept twisting.
Wasn’t totally happy, & tried a couple of tweaks midways, but continued
tatting. Until finally, I just couldn’t go on & needed to re-think. After
all, this edging was going to be gifted ….
TRACK IV : Joined the trefoil rings ; increased center ring by 1 ds on
either side ; made requisite changes to the JR cluster. Yes, the floating JR
stayed in place ! Also realized that the floating JR needs to be started as
close to the SCMR as possible, for it to stay afloat properly. But 2ds increase
messed up the proportions. Finally stopped again.
TRACK V (the final version) : Back on track & tatting full speed ahead ….
All changes incorporated & this is the final pattern. A
total of 32 repeats, coming to a bit over 1 meter. Corners form easily with the
trefoil sewn close
Look at the distance
this hare covered, all because it took too long to take a decision
– one step
ahead, two steps back ;-P
See the threads still wound to the bobbins? I intend to use
these discarded lengths in some of the following ways ….
Running Ahead
I like the versatility of this edging. Some possibilities .…
insertions, braids, bracelets, bookmarks, .....
Back on Track or backtracking?
So off went the edging, along with a tiny freeform floral motif to sew to a corner ...
The motif is 1¼” high & ¾” wide, tatted in size 40
green, & 2 strands of variegated pink silk thread.
The edging is slightly over ½” wide & 3 repeats (of trefoils & JR clusters) are 4" long.
A total of 32 repeats were required for a length of a little over 1m or 40" approx.
Retracing My Steps
A few words about the pattern itself …
It is made of alternating trefoil & Josephine ring
cluster.
Each trefoil has 2 split rings at base & a normal ring
with graduated picots in center.
Each JR cluster starts with a self closing mock ring (worked
as a JR), with a thrown JR on top. The SCM(J)R, after completion, is followed
by a short chain & then a normal JR.
It is a very quick tat, if we know the techniques.
A quick pictorial on how to tat the Josephine Ring Cluster ….
It is a very quick tat, if we know the techniques.
A quick pictorial on how to tat the Josephine Ring Cluster ….
Josephine Ring Cluster
pictorial
One can add a half stitch at either end of the chain, if desired. I liked the slight layered look.
TIP : Use Down join if Josephine ring is made with 1st half stitches (fhs) because it imitates the fhs.
Use a normal Up join if JR made with 2nd half stitch (shs).
Use a normal Up join if JR made with 2nd half stitch (shs).
The 3-page pattern pdf contains the diagram, written pattern, and the JR cluster pictorial (without text).
Download pdf here : Split Colour Edging pattern
Final Lap
Download pdf here : Split Colour Edging pattern
But what are the talented pic chicks up to ? Let's take a little 'de'tour, shall we ;-P
I'm going a-blog-hopping ; have a LOT of catching up to do .....
the pinterest challenge race is open to all hares & tortoise; come join us ...
happy tatting, happy pinning :-))))
Related Posts : my 5 previous pinterest challenges
Love this sweet delicate pattern and your technique too!I too resolved not to do tatting but I guess we love it too much huh? Have a wonderful day from Carollyn!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carollyn :-) Yes, tatting does rule our life, so what's a gal gonna do ?! ;-P
DeleteThat is a sweet pattern! I've had lots of incoming projects lately and Bach Festival is just a few weeks away. As soon as the edging on my shuttles is finished, I'm putting this one on! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would Love to see you work this edging with your beautiful tatting precision, Mel !!!
DeleteThe challenge kept you more or less on track, despite some meanders that might prove useful later. I like your hankie edging, and the fact that you thought about the edging needing blocking after washing.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Jane :-)
DeleteWhen one is gifting to an 'unknown', why bother them with instructions & extra work, especially with something that will be washed often ;-P
wow Muskaan this is so lovely and what a special gift. I'm so jealous of your tatting skills. I really really want to learn how to do it. your edging would look pretty on a linen skirt too. grrr I want to learn!!!!
ReplyDeleteI like your linen skirt application idea, Suzanne :-)
DeleteWould love to 'coach' you on tatting whenever you like ! Only remember that you don't Have to hold the shuttle & make the movements Exactly like in the videos or diagrams - find your own comfort position first ; the rest follows :-)
This is so beautiful, I wish I could make something like this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret :-) You are so creative yourself !
DeleteI love it! And you did a terrific job on the pattern. Thanks for sharing some of the possibilities for it as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eliz, glad you liked it :-)
DeleteHmm, just struck me as I am typing this ... could the variations be used to make a concentric square/rectangular doily ??? LOL
You figure that out and I'll test tat it for you.
DeleteEliz, you're on ! Give me a few weeks, though - want to complete a lot of other posts & projects. (((Hugs)))
DeleteNow that took a lot of patience! I'm not sure I'd spend the time retracing my steps, retaking, and then posting about the whole process, but I'm glad you did! Very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteThe actual tatting was pretty quick, keeping me motivated Diane :-) Laying it all out as a comprehensive post , with a touch of humour - ah, that took time ! And the heavy weather didn't help in the blocking process either.
DeleteFabulous edging!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue :-)
DeleteLovely pattern and gorgeous edging for a special hanky
ReplyDeleteMargaret
Thanks, Margaret :-) Glad to see you back. Hope you are doing well.
DeleteThanks for this lovely edging! And for showing your design process, too. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGrace, I'm so glad you enjoyed it :-)
DeleteThis blog is a wast mine of tatting knowledge! Thank you for your generosity in sharing, I'll keep digging as it is pure bliss :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, lovestoSwatch 💕 Looking back at this edging I am a bit chuffed with my tatting 😁 Thankfully it has improved ...
Delete